Deflectometers measure how much an object or material moves under load and are used in materials testing, construction, and forensic evaluations. Deflection rates indicate stiffness, with different levels required for different applications. Deflectometers are used to evaluate roads and airport tarmacs for safety. Calibration is important to ensure accurate results.
A deflectometer is a device used to measure how much a given object or material moves when subjected to a load. Such devices are used in materials testing, forensic evaluation of defective materials for forensic purposes, and routine evaluation of materials during construction and development to ensure they are safe. They are available in a variety of sizes and styles for different applications, from devices intended for laboratory use to deflector meters used in the field.
Deflection is a measure of how a material responds to a load. A high deflection rate indicates that the material is significantly displaced. It may bend, warp, or otherwise move in response to pressure. Lower rates indicate higher stiffness. Different levels of stiffness are required for different applications. If a material is too stiff, it can be brittle and can break when overloaded. Excessively flexible materials can deform to such an extent that their structural integrity is compromised.
Roads and airport tarmacs are commonly studied with a deflectometer to see how much they will deform under regular use. Impact simulating the weight of tires with different loads, from a light car to a jumbo jet, is used to measure deflection at different settings. If the material is too stiff or not stiff enough, it may need to be reinforced or replaced to be safe.
The deflectometer test can be used in a routine evaluation of a material to ensure it is performing as intended and to check for signs of weakness. It can also be used if there is a specific concern about a material, such as reports from personnel working around it that it appears to crack or bend under pressure. In forensic evaluations, materials that failed will be put through a series of tests to learn more about why they failed and to determine if they were appropriate for the setting. If a deflectometer reveals, for example, that the beams were too stiff, the manufacturer can be held liable for failure to install appropriate structural supports.
Sensitivity levels vary with a deflectometer. Some are extremely sensitive and can detect minute fluctuations. Others have more limited capabilities. In all cases, calibration before use is important to ensure that the device is functioning properly, otherwise it may return false results. This could be dangerous if the device is used to measure materials for quality assessments.
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